Growing excitement for colourful variety show

| By Michelle Crean

The excitement is building as Killarney Musical Society take on their biggest challenge ever - with the largest cast they've ever had.

With 109 in total, including 36 children and 25 teenagers, the cast will perform a variety show ‘A Musical Journey’ in the INEC on March 7, 8 and 9.

"We have doubled in size since we first began," Brid O'Callaghan, Chairperson at

Killarney Musical Society, said.

"A variety show is a mammoth task with such a large cast. On Saturday we did a full run of the show from start to finish including music, props, lighting crew, backstage crew. I think it’s safe to say we were all blown away and buzzing on the way home. It was finally coming together and we are so excited. We are in an excellent place with just two weeks to go. The biggest buzz is yet to come on Saturday, March 4 when we will rehearse with a 15 piece orchestra. For me this is the biggest buzz of the stage seeing it all come together and the amazing impact of an accompanying orchestra."

And she added that ticket sales are flying with their new online link. They've also added a pop up shop for cash only sales at The Laurels next week from February 27 to March 3 which will be manned by their founding member Pam Brosnan. Tickets are €26 each, €21 for OAPs and students, and there is a family ticket available also for €74.

"Killarney Musical Society is our club and we are passionate in delivering the best performance possible. We are hugely fortunate to have amazing people on board including Oliver Murphy as our Director of Choreography and Jimmy Brockie as our Musical Director but we simply couldn’t have done it without the people that are unseen such as the back stage crew, lighting crew, floor staff and the support of the community. We are so excited and looking forward to welcoming you all on a magical journey, our ‘Musical Journey’."

Today (Friday) marks a full year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine which saw millions of people flee for their lives.

| By Natalya Krasnenkova

Countries across Europe opened their doors offering safety, jobs and a place in schools for their children to settle and learn without fear.

This week the Killarney Advertiser spoke to Alina Balan who tells us about the horrors they saw and the heartbreak of leaving her husband behind to fight for the country's freedom.

Viktor Balan is now defending Ukraine in the ranks of the armed forces and Alina is now safe in Ireland protecting their children from the war.

Alina came to Killarney with their daughters Katya (13) and Zlata (6) from the city Vinnytsia in central Ukraine on March 24. They are currently staying in the Towers Hotel.

She recalls that February 24 last year turned their family's life upside down.

"From that day on, all our plans and dreams were completely destroyed," she told the Killarney Advertiser.